Franklin honored with lifesaving award today

ELC alum credited with saving man’s life in July 2017

August 8, 2018

At 10:30 a.m., today, Aug. 9, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds will recognize seven individuals for unselfish service to their fellow citizens at the Iowa State Fair.

The Governor's Lifesaving Awards Ceremony recognizes citizens who helped a friend or neighbor in critical need of assistance, and in turn, became everyday heroes. There are four categories in which honorees are recognized: lifesaving with valor, lifesaving, meritorious service, and outstanding service.

Coral Franklin, a 2015 graduate of Estherville Lincoln Central High School, is one of the seven. The Lifesaving Award is given for those who have saved the lives of others without apparent risk to their own life.

On July 28, 2017, at approximately 3:14 PM, Steve Burke was on a bike ride with his son in the Arnolds Park area. They had just separated as they were returning to the resort.

Mr. Burke collapsed and fell off his bicycle due to having a heart attack. Some of the resort workers saw him fall and called 911.

Coral Franklin was working at the front desk at this time. She ran the two blocks to see if she could help.

Coral began CPR as soon as she arrived and continued for approximately five minutes before Chief Al Krueger of the Arnolds Park Police Department arrived. He had an AED.

Coral assisted with applying the pads. Just as the ambulance was arriving, approximately ten minutes after he fell, Mr. Burke began to breathe on his own and regained a pulse. Mr. Burke was taken to a local hospital and then airlifted to Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. There he was treated and has been recovering. The quick actions of Coral Franklin were instrumental in saving the life of Steve Burke.